R.I.P.

Jeret "Speedy" Peterson, a freestyle skier who won a silver medal at the 2010 Olympics, killed himself on Monday night. He was 29 years old.

Salt Lake County Unified Police told KTVB that Peterson actually phoned cops on Monday night to inform them of his whereabouts. His body was later found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot.

Just a week ago, Peterson was arrested in Idaho for speeding and DUI. He was a three-time Olympian and our thoughts go out to his friends and family members.

Jeter Peterson in Action

Linda Christian, a 1940s Hollywood star with the distinction of being the very first Bond Girl, has died in Palm Desert, Calif., at the age of 87.

A brunette beauty born Blanca Rosa Welter in Mexico, Christian was discovered in Acapulco, Mexico by Warner Bros. movie star Errol Flynn.

Life magazine, in writing of her curves, dubbed her the "anatomic bomb."

She married 20th Century Fox's biggest star, Tyrone Power, in 1949. The marriage ended in a 1956 divorce, though it produced two daughters.

In the '60s, she was also briefly married to the actor Edmund Purdom.

Christian starred as Vesper Lynd, James Bond's romantic interest, in the 1954 TV adaptation of Casino Royale, with Barry Nelson as 007.

Continue Reading...

Amy Winehouse was found dead in her apartment in London today.

Multiple sources confirm that the singer is the woman in this press release from the Metropolitan Police, which doesn't specifically name her:

"Police were called by Ambulance Service to an address in Camden Square NW1 just before 16 hrs today, Saturday 23 July, following reports of a woman deceased."

"On arrival officers found the body of a 27-year-old female who was pronounced dead at the scene. Enquiries continue into the circumstances of the death."

"At this early stage it is being treated as unexplained."

Amy Winehouse famously battled serious addiction to hard drugs and alcohol and was in and out of rehab several times throughout the years.

Continue Reading...

Rapper Drake has canceled a concert in Florida tomorrow night.

The tragic reason is that his uncle passed away. The star (real name Aubrey Graham) is reportedly en route home to be with family in Canada.

Drake's rep said: "We regret to announce that Drake will not be able to take the stage at Universal Orlando Resort due to a death in the family."

"He hopes that his fans understand the situation he finds himself in and know he fully intends to return to the area in the future. He thanks Universal Orlando Resort and his fans for their continued support.”

Our condolences to Drake and his family.

You may not know his name, but any TV fan knows his work.

Sherwood Schwartz, the TV producer who created The Brady Bunch and Gilligan's Island (and wrote the iconic theme songs for both shows), has passed away of natural causes. He was 94.

The Brady Bunch Theme Song

Schwartz won an Emmy way back in 1961 for his work on The Red Skelton Show. His resume also includes work on My Favorite Martian, Bob Hope's radio show and the radio version of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.

Guitarist Michael "Würzel" Burston, a prominent member of British rock-metal band Motörhead, died Saturday from heart disease at the age of 61.

Burston joined the group in 1984 and lent his musical talents to noteworthy albums as Orgasmatron and March ör Die before departing in 1996.

On top of his lightning-fast abilities on a six-string, he also made an impression on his bandmates and fans by way of his comedic personality.

Motorhead - Ace of Spades

In addition to a couple of solo projects, Michael Burston had also recently formed the band Leader of Down. May this hard rocker rest in peace.

Former First Lady of the United States Betty Ford has passed away. She was the wife of President Gerald Ford (1913-2006), our 38th Chief Executive.

Betty was 93.

Ford, who struggled with alcohol issues earlier in life, may be even better known for having founded the Betty Ford Center near Palm Springs in 1982.

It remains one of the premiere rehab facilities in the world with stars ranging from to Lindsay Lohan and Anna Nicole Smith to Kelsey Grammer, Billy Joel, Elizabeth Taylor, Johnny Cash and Liza Minnelli seeking help there.

As First Lady in the mid-1970s, Betty Ford was extremely active in social policy and shattered precedents at the as a politically active presidential wife.

Throughout her husband's term in office, she maintained overwhelmingly popular with Americans despite opposition from some conservatives who objected to her more moderate and liberal positions on social issues.

Ford was an advocate for the Equal Rights Amendment, and was noted for raising breast cancer awareness following her 1974 mastectomy.

R.I.P.

In stunning and tragic sports news, a Texas Rangers fan died after falling from the stands while reaching for a baseball tossed his way last night.

Shannon Stone, a 39-year-old firefighter, lunged for a ball thrown by outfielder Josh Hamilton, only to plunge 20 feet onto the concrete below.

Stone fell during the second inning late Thursday, tumbling over the left-field railing after catching the ball and falling out of sight from the field.

Stone's young son watched the fall, which we have posted, if only because it's easier to understand with a visual. Bear in mind, it's upsetting:

Rangers Fan Falls Over Railing

"We had a very tragic accident tonight and one of our fans lost their life reaching over the rail trying to get a ball," team President Nolan Ryan said.

"As an organization, and as our team members and our staff, we're very heavy-hearted about this. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family."

THG's, too.

Tragic news today for Nicki Minaj and her family.

The singer's 26-year old cousin (Nicholas Telemaque, who also went by "Juse") has been found dead, as announced/mourned by the artist herself over Twitter last night. Including the following photo with her message, Nicki wrote:

"Lived in Brooklyn his whole life. My precious cousin. My baby. Killed last nite."

Minaj's Twitter followers quickly delivered notes of support to the artist, including this one from Jordin Sparks: "Sending love & prayers to you and your family."

Nicki is currently touring the country with Britney Spears. It's unknown if she'll take any time off to make arrangements for her late relative.

[Photos: Fame Pictures, Twitter]

UPDATE: Police say the crime took place around 2:40 a.m., the victim died of "multiple gunshot wounds to the upper torso" and the shooter is still on the loose.

Sad news today out of the Australian Idol family: Jay Dee Springbett, a former judge on that nation's version of American Idol, was found dead inside his Sydney apartment.

Friends say Springbett - who also served as an A&R executive  at Sony Music for six years - had been suffering from depression, but authorities say the death is "not suspicious."

No other details are available at the moment. Sony Music Entertainment Australia and New Zealand CEO Denis Handlin released the following statement after the news spread:

"Jay Dee was so very enthusiastic and passionate about his family, his music projects and his plans for the future. [He] was a great friend and larger-than-life charismatic character who will be missed enormously."

Our thoughts go out to Jay's family.